Welcome to Democrats Abroad UK, the official arm of the US Democratic Party in the United Kingdom.
Photo: After requesting his ballot from www.VoteFromAbroad.org, DAUK member Jeff K. (Colorado) prepares to send in his vote for Obama, London-style! He has done his part, now don't forget to do yours!
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DAUK eNews April 2012
By C Dew on April 2nd, 2012
April 2012 highlights: Fairness in America, YPN Turns 2!, "Baroque Obama" Concert, DAUK Chair in Leeds, "The Future We Want" Panel Discussion, DA Global Primary Election
Contents
Letter from the Chair: Rebuilding Fairness in America
Events in this Newsletter
April 4: Speakeasies in Cambridge, Oxford and London
April 15: Voter Registration Training, London
April 16: DAUK Council Meeting
April 19: Young Professionals Network (YPN) 2nd Birthday Event, London
April 22: "Baroque Obama" Concert, London
April 26: Discussion with DAUK Chair on Events Shaping the Election, Leeds
April 27: "The Future We Want," Panel Discussion on U.S. Environmental Policies, London
May 1 - 6: DA Global Primary Election in Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, Oxford, St Andrews
Future Events: Mark your calendar!
July 1: Independence Day Picnic, London
Sep. 3-6: Democratic National Convention, Charlotte, NC
Nov. 6: Election Day!
Calls to action
Join the Voter Registration team! (details at April 15 event)
Join the Policy Action Network on Facebook!
Need to get in touch with DAUK? Here's how!
Contact list:
http://www.democratsabroad.org/uk-contacts
Telephone Switchboard (new!): 020 3514 1410
Letter from the Chair
Rebuilding Fairness in America
If you've been watching the Republican primaries, you'd be forgiven for mistaking them for theatre of the absurd. Some highlights: When is a campaign like an "Etch-a-Sketch"? When it's Mitt Romney's. A Romney campaign aide blurted out the truth on CNN about the instantly erasable nature of Romney's views. Meanwhile, Rick Santorum continued his war on the fundamental freedoms of women, minorities, and the LGBT community.
Beyond the GOP campaign circus, House Republicans have been busy dismantling fairness in America. They gutted the safety net and slashed programs that support the American middle class. Paul Ryan's (R-WI) new budget, which passed the House this week, proposed massive cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, "voucherized" Medicare and increased its eligibility age from 65 to 67, cut Pell grants for low income students, and slashed most non-defense spending.
But the enemies of fairness don't have to win. Governor Scott Walker (R-WI), the Wisconsin lieutenant governor, and four key Walker allies in the state senate were ordered to face elections on June 5 after nearly 2 million signatures were gathered to petition for their recall. Walker's wrecking crew has cut education and health care spending, eroded employment rights and benefits, and targeted fundamental freedoms like voting rights.
Are you interested in politics that supports ordinary working Americans and the fundamental rights of our society? Then help us to rebuild fairness in America!
How you can help now:
--Vote in the Democrats Abroad global primary from May 1-6 at various locations throughout the UK, or by fax or email. (See details below.) Remind politicians back home that we have a voice in American politics.
--Register to vote and request your ballot for the general election. Go to: www.votefromabroad.org
--Help register other Americans, or hold a voter registration event. See details below of voter registration training on April 15, or contact: daukvote@democratsabroad.org.uk
--Come out to some DAUK events and meet your fellow Democrats Abroad
--Help organize a DAUK event. Contact me at: chair@democratsabroad.org.uk
We hope to see you soon!
Rob Carolina
Chair, Democrats Abroad UK
April 4: Speakeasies in London, Cambridge and Oxford
Our regularly scheduled speakeasies are a chance to meet like-minded Americans, have a drink, talk politics, or just make new friends.
Cambridge
When: First Wednesday of the month, 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Location: The Castle Inn Pub, 38 Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AJ
Email: camchair@democratsabroad.org.uk
Oxford
When: First Wednesday of the month at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Royal Oak,42-44 Woodstock Road, Oxford
Email: oxford@democratsabroad.org.uk
London
When: First Wednesday of the month, 7:00 p.m.
Location: (new venue in The City) The Harrow, 22 Whitefriars Street, London EC4Y 8JJ
Tube: Temple, Chancery Lane, St Paul's
Email: vice-chair@democratsabroad.org.uk
April 15: Voter Registration
An afternoon of workshops, skill sharing, and activities will ensure you will walk away confident to register fellow Americans to cast their overseas absentee ballot. Come along and help to secure an essential second term for President Obama.
When: Sunday, April 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Central London, near London Bridge, TBC
To sign up please click on the link to fill out a short form here:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dHo5MVRQem9obnZsUWI1NGxxRkc0cGc6MQ
You can email the Voter Outreach Team at: daukvote@democratsabroad.org.uk
and find us on Facebook and "like" us today:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Democrats-Abroad-UK-Voter-Registration/151662661615078
April 16: DAUK Council Meeting
The meeting is open to all members of DAUK. Using EventBrite to RSVP, please indicate whether you are a DAUK Executive Committee member (for quorum), a DAUK Council member (ditto) or a member of DAUK not in either group. The meeting is free, but voluntary contributions to offset the room hire would be welcome and appreciated. You can contribute on the EventBrite page. If you are unable to attend and would like to notify us, please email the Secretary: secretary@democratsabroad.org.uk .
Please sign up using the EventBrite page for this meeting:
Council meeting reservation form
When: Monday, April 16, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Chadwick Building, Lecture Theatre B05, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT
RSVP yes: http://dauk-council-16042012.eventbrite.com
RSVP no: secretary@democratsabroad.org.uk
April 19: Young Professional Network
Join us to celebrate YPN's 2nd Birthday! We've had 23 incredible monthly events and met hundreds of amazing Americans living abroad. We've fundraised, celebrated the passing of healthcare reform, gathered together to watch State of the Union speeches, and discussed the complexities of UK immigration. Now we will join together to help re-elect the President and take back the Senate. But first, we invite you to celebrate 2 successful years of the Young Professionals Network and raise a glass to our exciting future.
We never could have done it without all of you joining us each month, so come to our birthday party, bring your friends and family. If you haven't attended one of our parties before, now is the time to start!
When: Thursday, April 19, 7:00 p.m. (until closing)
Location: The Marylebone, 93 Marylebone High Street, London W1U 4RE
(You can find us in the back room of the pub)
You can email us at: youngdems@democratsabroad.org.uk ,
follow us @DALondonYPN (http://twitter.com/dalondonypn)
or like us on: www.facebook.com/groups/dauklondonypn/
Apr. 22: "Baroque Obama" Concert
What do President Obama, Georg Philipp Telemann, and an alto recorder have in common? Find out for yourself when a group of DAUK musicians and friends go for Baroque in a concert and DAUK fundraiser. Featuring music for soprano, alto recorder, violin, cello and harpsichord by great Baroque composers such as Handel, Telemann and Purcell, this casual afternoon concert takes place in the convivial surroundings of the University Women's Club. Join the musicians for a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit immediately after the performance.
When: Sunday, April 22, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: The University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, London W1K 1DB
Cost: £15 (£7.50 concessions) includes light refreshment
http://dauk-baroque-obama-apr22.eventbrite.co.uk/
April 26: DAUK Yorkshire and Humber inaugural (pun intended) Event With Rob Carolina
Rob Carolina, chair of DAUK, will join university staff and others for an informal presentation of the key questions that will matter in this upcoming election.
It promises to be a lively and engaging discussion that should cover matters such as the importance of Obamacare, the impact of the long-running Arab spring(s) and the economy and their impact leading up to November 6. There will be opportunities to discuss voter registration and register to vote as well as drinks after the discussion. Afterwards we will discuss chances and opportunities to plan further events between now and Election Day.
For more information contact Judith Sullivan:
yorkshirehumber@democratsabroad.org.uk
When: Thursday, April 26 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Business School Yorkshire Bank Lecture Theatre (G.02), Leeds
(Map here: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/campusmap )
April 27: Ahead of Rio+20 - A Conversation with Environment Experts Bill Becker and Dianne Dillon-Ridgley
Bill Becker, former Executive Director of the Presidential Climate Action Project, is currently leading a collaboration with the United Nations called "The Future We Want" for Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. The conference will take place in Rio de Janeiro this June, marking two decades since the 1992 Earth Summit where countries adopted Agenda 21, a blueprint to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.
Mr. Becker is the former director of the U.S. Department of Energy's Central Regional Office, where he specialized in energy efficiency, renewable energy technologies and sustainable community development. In his diverse career, he also was a war correspondent in South Vietnam, where he won a Bronze Star medal, and as a writer/photographer for the Associated Press.
Dianne Dillon-Ridgley is a leading environmentalist and human rights activist who is also a board member of Interface, Inc., the U.S.-based floor tiling company, famed worldwide for demonstrating that sustainability and business success go hand in hand. In addition to her role at Interface, Ms. Dillon-Ridgley has served on numerous U.S. delegations to United Nations global meetings and serves many educational and environmental organisations. In 1994, she was appointed by President Clinton to his Council on Sustainable Development.
This event is closed to the press.
Friends of DAUK members who are not American citizens are welcome but their admission must be paid by their host. Only American citizens can make payment.
When: Friday, April 27, Reception from 6:15 p.m. and panel discussion at 6:30 p.m.
Location: The University Women's Club, 2 Audley Square, London W1K 1DB
Cost: £10 (£5 concessions)
Buy tickets now using EventBrite:
http://dauk-environment-apr27.eventbrite.com
Dinner after the event
A Sterling Circle dinner with the panellists will follow immediately afterwards. If you are a member of Sterling Circle and wish to attend, please email: events@democratsabroad.org.uk.
If you want to learn about becoming a member of Sterling Circle, email: info@sterlingcircle.org
May 1-6: Democrats Abroad Global Primary Election
Democrats Abroad is an official state committee of the US Democratic Party, and as such we have the honor of electing delegates to nominate our Presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention in North Carolina this September.
The first step in this process is our Democrats Abroad Primary. If you have not participated in a Presidential Primary process in your US voting state, we urge you to join us for this unique and important opportunity to make your voice heard.
The Democrats Abroad Primary is the ONLY stage of the US Presidential election process where physical polling places are normally opened outside the Territorial United States. While absentee ballots are possible (details will be announced), we would love to see you come in person to cast your ballot.
In London, we'll be celebrating this moment at our May 1st voting event with some special surprises – including great entertainment and special guests. But the polling places aren't just open in London! We are delighted to announce that here in the UK we will be hosting Primary events at locations in 5 UK cities where you can cast your ballots in person:
Cambridge Polling Site
Tuesday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
University of Cambridge Graduate Union
17 Mill Lane, Cambridge CB2 1RX
Edinburgh Polling Site
Wednesday, May 2, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday, May 4, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
National Union of Students Scotland
29 Forth St, Edinburgh EH4 7SG
London Polling Site
Tuesday, May 1, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m (Special entertainment and guest speaker)
Sunday May 6, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m
The Abbey Centre
34 Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3BU
Oxford Polling Site
Friday, May 4, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Rhodes House
South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RG
St Andrews Polling Site
Tuesday, May 1, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 3, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
St Andrews Students' Association Building
St Mary's Place, St Andrews KY16 9UZ
Join the Policy Action Network Facebook!
Join the new Policy Action Network Groups on Facebook. In this election year, use these groups to keep on top of news and campaigning on these critical policy areas. You can post your news and views, start and follow conversations and suggest activities for the PANs and updates for the PAN website. They are closed, which means that you have to request membership and that posts can only be made and viewed by members of the groups.
Find them by searching for Democrats Abroad UK Policy Action Network or by clicking on these links:
Democrats Abroad UK Policy Action Network In cooperation with Laura Summers, we are using this group to promote discussion of proposals for the DA Platform.
Environment and Energy Security
in
We are very pleased to welcome back Presidential Pollster Stan Greenberg on Wednesday March 21.
Click Here for event details and including online ticket purchase
DAUK eNews March 2012
By C Dew on March 5th, 2012
March 2012 highlights: Election 2012 Kick-off (March 7), ‘The Arab Spring One Year On’ (Mar 13), Scotland Chapter Meeting and Officer Election (Mar 18
Contents:
Letter from the Chair
March 2012 activities
Mar. 7: Election 2012 Kick-Off at the Texas Embassy, London
Mar. 7: Speakeasies in Cambridge and Oxford
Mar. 13: Election Issues Speaker Series: The Arab Spring One Year On
Mar. 15: Young Professionals Network (YPN) Meet-up
Mar. 18: Scotland Chapter Meeting and Officer Election
Mar. 26: DAUK Executive Committee Meeting
Future Events: Mark your calendar!
Apr. 16: DAUK Council meeting
Apr. 22: Baroque Obama concert
May 1-6: Global Primary
July 1: Independence Day Picnic
Sep. 3-6: Democratic National Convention
Nov. 6: Election Day!
Calls to action
Join the Voter Registration team!
Reading the Economic Crisis with the Policy Action Network
DAUK eNews February 2012
By Joyce Halsan on February 4th, 2012
Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for February 2012
This Newsletter is sent to all Democrats Abroad members living in the UK. Please forward this information to other Americans living here and encourage them to join DAUK. Do not reply directly to this email. Find DAUK contacts here: http://www.democratsabroad.org/node/927
Table of Contents
- Message from the Chair
- WANTED: Help us connect with Americans in your workplace or social club
- Sterling Circle: Financial leadership for our DA Community
- Film and Discussion: "The Flaw" Feb 3
- DAUK Independence Day Picnic Planning Meeting: Feb 21
- Voter Registration Training and 2012 Kick-Off: Feb 26
- Regular Events This Month
- Looking Ahead – More Dates for Your Calendar
Stop Press – additional February event! On February 21 we will have an evening with Ronald Freeman who will talk about the impact of the Euro Crisis on the US economy. The talk will be followed by a smaller Sterling Circle dinner at a private home in West London. Full details will be announced soon.
DAUK eNews January 2012
By Joyce Halsan on February 3rd, 2012
Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for January 2012
DAUK eNews December 2011
By Joyce Halsan on December 6th, 2011
Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for December 2011 and Happy Holidays!
DAUK eNews November 2011
By Joyce Halsan on November 7th, 2011
Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for November 2011
DAUK eNews September 2011
By Joyce Halsan on October 25th, 2011
Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for September 2011
DAUK eNews October 2011
By Joyce Halsan on October 25th, 2011
Welcome to the DAUK Newsletter for October 2011